How to Spend a Weekend in Stockholm Sweden
- by Ari Travels
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Stockholm Sweden! A charming old town with great cafes, restaurants, bars, and old buildings with stunning architecture. If you’re a foodie who loves exploring, Stockholm is for you. Being one of the most multicultural cities in the world, Stockholm, the capital of Sweden has so much to offer, and is a great city to visit upon your arrival in Sweden. In this itinerary and travel guide, I will give you suggestions on what to do in Stockholm for 24 hours along with some budget travel tips since it is one of the most expensive cities in the world. But don’t let that stop you because it is still possible to visit Stockholm if you’re a budget traveler. As always, for further travel advice and planning, you can easily book a call with me here.
Things to Know About Stockholm/Money Saving Tips
Credit cards are used with modern technology
Sweden’s technology is very modern, therefore credit cards are accepted everywhere, but be aware of foreign transaction fees. Use a card that doesn’t charge them such as the Capital One travel Venture card. I would recommend you still carry some cash just in case. The ATM fees in Sweden are extremely high when withdrawing cash, so make sure you have a debit card that reimburses your fees such as the Charles Schwab Card. It's free with no annual fee and all ATM fees get reimbursed at the end of the month, saving you hundreds of money.
There are water refill stations all around the city
Water in Sweden is safe to drink. Sweden is actually one of the most eco-friendly countries in the world, so they do not like wasting plastic. Make sure to bring a reusable water bottle and take advantage of all the free water refill systems. Tap water is also safe to drink.
Take public transportation, not taxis
Taxi prices can add up quickly. The bus systems in Stockholm are modern and easy to use. Google Maps is my favorite app for easy bus navigation. There is no need to even buy tickets in advance as you can just buy them upon arrival with the touch to pay on your credit card. Makes it even easier to use the public transpiration system!
Be prepared to pay around $15-$20 per meal if you eat out
Stockholm is not cheap by any means, therefore if you choose to eat out, prices will be comparable to the Western USA. If you want to save money, I suggest heading over to COOP foods which is Sweden's local grocery store. You can find salad bars for as little as $4 and take-away meals for less than $8.
Use Google Maps
In order to find popular tourist sites, I recommend using Google Maps as it's the most efficient way. To use Google Maps without wifi,, make sure your phone is unlocked before departing to Sweden. I would highly suggest getting the Airalo App and downloading an eSim Card. Airalo is an app that allows you to have affordable cell data plans all over the world without needing a physical Sim Card which is what makes using your phone without wifi extremely convenient. Use my code ARIAHN516 for $ off!
Bring an umbrella & wear layers
Stockholm has unpredictable weather. Always be prepared and bring an umbrella and wear layers.
Consider traveling here during shoulder season
If you’re on a budget, traveling to Stockholm during shoulder season is a must. I suggest coming here either in April-May or in September. The weather will still be nice, but prices significantly drop for accommodation.
Where to Stay in Stockholm
Accommodation in Stockholm is very expensive. During my stay here I came during mid-September. I stayed at a simple hostel. It was in a great location (about a 22-minute walk from the old town) and had a kitchen to cook my own food, comfortable beds, great wifi, and friendly staff.
Hostels in Stockholm (click for more)
Castanea Old Town: $24/night
City Backpackers Hostel: $25/night
Lodge32 Hostel (where I stayed): $26/night
Hotels in Stockholm (click for more)
There are affordable hotels here if you look hard enough. I have linked 3 recommendations below that will cost less than $30/person/night if you split it with two people. That’s probably the cheapest you will find for something that’s not a slum.
Castle House Inn: $64/night ($32 per person per night)
First Hotel Brommaplan: $101/night ($50 per person per night)
Park Inn by Radisson Stockholm Hammarby Sjöstad: $122/night ($61 per person per night)
Things to do During Your 24 Hours in Stockholm, Sweden Itinerary
During your 24 hours in Stockholm, you will eat at the most unique rooftop in the city, experience the old town, and admire unique architecture.
Stortorget
Stortorget is located in the neighborhood of Gamala Stan. It’s famous for the yellow, green and red traditional houses. There is always something going on here, such as a show or someone playing music, so it's fun to check it out. It gets crowded, so head over around 9:00 am and grab a cinnamon roll pastry & latte at one of the cafes in the square. My favorite cafe here was KaffeKoppen. If you enjoy history, there is also a Nobel Prize Museum that you can visit as well when you are in the square. Don’t forget to also visit the Royal Palace while you are here.
Alleyways of Gamela Stan
Gamela Stan is considered the old town neighborhood. It sort of gives off the vibe of Harry Potter meets the South of France. The architecture here is amazing and you can find lots of beautiful alleyways here. Make sure to snap a few photos while you admire it. Make sure to walk around and get lost in Gamela Stan, as it's beautiful.
I will insert the GPS coordinates of the two best alleyways to capture photos in Gamala Stan:
1, View of the new town from the Ben and Jerry’s
2. View of the church from the Frisor Store (Look this up in google maps :Stora Gramunkengrand from the bottom of the hill)
Enjoy the best rooftop lunch in the whole city
I hope you’re hungry because get ready to EAT!! From the southern Italy aesthetic, food and vibes, this rooftop called “Basta! Urban Italian” in Stockholm is hands down my favorite restaurant I have ever ate at. I would try to come here around 1 or 1:30 pm on weekends or anytime before 3 on the weekdays because it does get busy and they have limited seating with couches (basically where most people like to sit), so it is first come first serve. You can make a reservation as well to ensure you get a good spot. When my friend and I went here, we ordered the Margarita Pizza and (Insert what gaby ordered). There is a huge selection of all the popular Italian cruises and I guarantee any of them will be delicious.
Walk off your lunch at Kungsträdgården Garden
Kungsträdgården Garden is beautiful, especially in the summer months leading into the end of September because there are flowers blooming everywhere. In addition, there are a few fountains here, cafes and pretty buildings. This Garden has lots to offer, so make sure you walk around the entire thing!
